HVCA Specification

Heating and
Ventilating
For Kitchen
Contractors’ Ventilation
Association
Systems

DW/172
 DW/172 Specification for Kitchen Ventilation Systems

Specification ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The HVCA records its appreciation and thanks to the
many people and organisations who gave advice and
information during the preparation of this
specification, in particular to those members of the

for Kitchen drafting panel who contributed their time, experience

and knowledge.

Ventilation DW/172 DRAFTING PANEL

Systems Keith Waldron (Chairman)

Phil Gibson
Barry Pollard
Peter Rogers
Nigel Atkinson
Trevor Carter
Steve Garnham

Graeme Craig (Secretary)

ISBN 0-903783-29-0

First Edition 1999

©2005 HVCA

Heating and Ventilating

Contractors’ Association
Esca House 34 Palace Court
London W2 4JG
Tel: 020 7313 4900
Fax: 020 7727 9268

DW/172 e-mail: contact@hvca.org.uk

website: www hvca.org.uk

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 DW/172 Specification for Kitchen Ventilation Systems

FOREWORD

Barry Pollard President

Chairman, Ductwork Group
Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association

S
ince its publication in 1999, the HVCA’s Standard for Kitchen Ventilation
Systems (DW/171) has sold an impressive 2,300 copies. More importantly, it
has become widely acknowledged as the standard for kitchen ventilation design
throughout in the UK.
Like any other standard, however, it must be revised and updated from time to time, in
the light of new thinking, new procedures and new developments.
This review process has now been completed by the HVCA Ductwork Group. The
result is this new publication– designated DW/172 and re-badged as a specification
rather than simply a standard, in recognition of the authoritative status it has achieved
within the kitchen ventilation sector.
Among the many amendments and clarifications contained in the new document, three
are worthy of particular note.
Firstly, the previous publication made reference to the feasibility of establishing a test
procedure for grease filters. Since then, the Loss Prevention Council has published –
and the Association of British Insurers has endorsed – LPS1263, which sets out the
procedures, including the testing and grading of grease filters, required to reduce the
risk of fire in commercial kitchens.
Secondly, the section on appliances and their coefficients has been significantly
expanded, and now includes advice on the requirement for an interlock between the
ventilation system and the gas supply.
And, finally, for the purpose of this specification, stainless steel is the only suitable
material for the fabrication of canopies, and mesh filters can only be used as a
secondary method of grease extraction. For ventilated ceilings, however, some
manufacturers incorporate anodized aluminium into the supporting frame. This form of
construction should be agreed with the client or specifier.
All other sections have been revised and updated in the hope and expectation that the
HVCA’s Specification for Kitchen Ventilation Systems (DW/172) will be widely used
by all sectors of the catering industry.

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 DW/172 Specification for Kitchen Ventilation Systems

CONTENTS Page

Acknowledgements 1
Drafting Panel 1
Foreword 3
Specifications and Contents 5
Section 1 Introduction. 7
Section 2 Considerations prior to design 8
Section 3 Design Criteria 9
Section 4 Canopy Dimensions 11
Section 5 Extract Flow Rates 12
Section 6 Make-up Air 17
Section 7 Types of Canopy 20
Section 8 Ventilated Ceilings 22
Section 9 Spigot Connections 26
Section 10 Materials 27
Section 11 Construction 28
Section 12 Polishing 29
Section 13 Grease Filtration 29
Section 14 Canopy Lighting 34
Section 15 Ductwork 35
Section 16 Installation 38
Section 17 Fans 39
Section 18 Attenuation 42
Section 19 Dampers 42
Section 20 Fire Suppression 43
Section 21 Service Distribution Units 46
Section 22 Odour Control 47
Section 23 Heat Recovery 49
Section 24 Testing and Commissioning 50
Section 25 Cleaning and Maintenance 51
Appendix A Filter Classifications 53
Appendix B Conversion Factors 54
Appendix C IP Ratings 55
Appendix D Fire and Smoke Extract Ductwork 56
Appendix E Air Conditioned Kitchens 58
Appendix F Bibliography 60

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DW/172 Specification for Kitchen Ventilation Systems

OBJECTIVE OTHER DUCTWORK GROUP PUBLICATIONS

The satisfaction derived from a building by the user
comes significantly from the satisfactory performance
of the systems, which serve the building. The purpose
of the kitchen ventilation systems is to remove
contamination from the cooking processes, ventilate
the surrounding ancillary areas and provide safe and
comfortable conditions for the occupants.
This publication is therefore primarily intended to:
- Provide information for customers who are
appointing (by competition or negotiation) a
contractor.
- Provide a specification for kitchen ventilation
system installation.
- Provide a level of workmanship that may be verified
by independent assessment.
- Be a significant aid in producing installations that
will, given correct operation and with proper
maintenance, provide satisfactory service over many
years.
DW/100 Ductwork Publication Pack
DW/143 A Practical Guide to Ductwork Leakage
Testing
DW/144 Specification for Sheet Metal Ductwork -
Low, Medium & High Pressure/Velocity Air
Systems
DW/154 Specification for Plastics Ductwork
DW/172 Specification for Kitchen Ventilation
Systems
DW/191 Guide to Good Practice - Glass Fibre
Ductwork
TR/19 Guide to Good Practice - Cleanliness of
Ventilation Systems

QUALITY ASSURANCE
This specification can be used as one criterion that will
assist customers and specifiers in performing their
important role of defining the standard of installation
they require.
The HVCA anticipates that this specification will be
complementary to quality assurance schemes and
quality assessment schedules. Where forming the basis
of an independent certification scheme, it defines good
practice in standards of installation.

SCOPE
This specification covers the type of kitchen ventilation
systems usually found in commercial premises.
The specification is not intended for residential
premises, although some of its provisions will apply.
This specification makes use of terms “should”,
“shall” and “must” when prescribing procedures:
- The term “must” identifies a requirement by law at
the time of publication.
- The term “shall” prescribes a procedure which it is
intended to be complied with, in full and without
deviation.
- The term “should” prescribes a procedure which it is
intended to be complied with unless, after prior
consideration, deviation is considered to be
equivalent or better.

PUBLICATION AND REVIEW

User feedback on the wording or the requirements of
the specification will be welcomed to assist in
continued updating.